Using DR PTO trimmer on Cat 2 Tractor?

[TomSeller]

:
I'd like the kind the county uses; an articulating arm brush cutter deck with huge side hydraulic tank.:thumbsup: Big money too, I'd bet.

I have one of those and it isn't all that you might think. Mine has a flail head and does not cut as well as I would like and you certainly can't cut under a fence with it. Mine is 3pt mounted and that makes for more flexing of the mounting and arm than I would expect. Mine was used when I got it so I don't have that much into it, but it would not be of use around a fence. Even if you set the flail head perpendicular to the fence you would not want to risk catching the barb wire with it. The big County machines are mid mounted to the frame of the tractor allowing a much heavier set up.

 

[Coyote machine]

I have one of those and it isn't all that you might think. Mine has a flail head and does not cut as well as I would like and you certainly can't cut under a fence with it. Mine is 3pt mounted and that makes for more flexing of the mounting and arm than I would expect. Mine was used when I got it so I don't have that much into it, but it would not be of use around a fence. Even if you set the flail head perpendicular to the fence you would not want to risk catching the barb wire with it. The big County machines are mid mounted to the frame of the tractor allowing a much heavier set up.

Could you show your setup in some pics?:thumbsup:
I'd like to see what one looks like on a regular sized tractor.

 

[TomSeller]

Could you show your setup in some pics?:thumbsup:
I'd like to see what one looks like on a regular sized tractor.

Here you are

 

[Coyote machine]

Here you are

Thanks! So what is that unit called exactly? Model 90? What's something like it cost on average? Model of your tractor? HP?
Thanks again- I want one!

 

[TomSeller]

Thanks! So what is that unit called exactly? Model 90? What's something like it cost on average? Model of your tractor? HP?
Thanks again- I want one!

JD had the unit made for them and don't sell it any longer. I forget who made it. Here are a couple of boom flail mowers, they are not cheap. I got mine used via a school district surplus sale. They also have rotary brush hog types.

http://www.alamo-group.com/Company/Products/Categories/Boom_MowersPower_Arms.html
http://www.servis-rhino.com/products/boom-mowers/hydraulic-boom-flails/

I run it on either a 45 or a 60 HP machine. It takes a 540 PTO, has it's own pump and tank.

 

[TomSeller]

Had a moment to snap a shot of one of my fence lines. Would the DR handle this grass? Yes, there is a fence under there.

 

[Coyote machine]

Had a moment to snap a shot of one of my fence lines. Would the DR handle this grass? Yes, there is a fence under there.

You looking to find the fence or cut the grass around it?
It might - I'd read the fine print about free trial or return shipping costs, and or see if you can buy a reconditioned machine, which is often a brand new machine with low hours returned by a buyer who decided not to keep it for whatever reason.
I've been to their factory store many many times and have bought new, and traded up, and various other deals.

 

[TomSeller]

You looking to find the fence or cut the grass around it?
It might - I'd read the fine print about free trial or return shipping costs, and or see if you can buy a reconditioned machine, which is often a brand new machine with low hours returned by a buyer who decided not to keep it for whatever reason.
I've been to their factory store many many times and have bought new, and traded up, and various other deals.

My fields that get grazed aren't really an issue but those that get hayed only end up looking like that. With miles and miles of fence I need some thing to keep them clear.

 

[k0ua]

I looked one of the Dr. units over yesterday at the Farm Show.. It looked well built and well thought out.

 

[slimcity9]

Had a moment to snap a shot of one of my fence lines. Would the DR handle this grass? Yes, there is a fence under there.

Based on my experience so far I'd say yes. Ideally you'd give it a couple passes on each side of the fence.

Not surprisingly I have done better with mine in subsequent mowings as I fine tune the adjustments and techniques. In particular the last time out I didn't have any line break at the head, which I'd attribute to more consistent rpm, not to mention having taken out the worst of the woody brush previously. This time there was a gradual shortening of all the line ends. I noticed my cutting width was down to under 15 inches and that's when I stopped to replace the line. I also didn't have trouble with the PTO shaft detaching during use. After it detached the first time out it was kind of sticky going back in, which may have helped it stay put. I also used an L wrench as planned to get a little more torque on the set screw.